A SCOTTISH shepherd has filmed a sea eagle snatching a live lamb from his flock – a clear indication that the birds do not only prey on dead animals.
The incident on Pabbay, a small island near Harris and Lewis, was captured on March 28 by Raymond Campbell.
The footage shows the bird swooping down, lifting the lamb into the air, and flying off.
Campbell stopped his quad bike before a huge bird of prey appeared on camera in the distance with a lamb in its claws. He began driving faster towards the bird as it lifted off the field with the lamb hanging in its grip
Campbell’s daughter, Sarah, managed to film the dramatic moment on her mobile phone, the Scottish Farmer reported.
Campbell said: “Over the years, we have had sea eagles lift dead lambs, but now there are so many sea eagles they need food and have started taking live lambs.
“Man has interfered with wildlife and sheep farmers are paying for the consequences.
“A similar incident happened last year, but we did not have time to get footage of it.”
The video has since gone viral, attracting more than 660,000 views on Facebook. This incident has highlighted longstanding concerns among farmers about the impact of sea eagles on livestock.
This behaviour had previously been disputed, with conservationists downplaying the impact on farmers.
David Colthart, a sheep farmer from Argyll and chairman of the Argyll and Lochaber Sea Eagle Stakeholder Group, said: “This video visually represents what farmers and crofters have been facing for years, though it’s rarely captured on camera.
“Farmers are frustrated that sea eagles are so heavily protected, while a loose dog attack could lead to a £40,000 fine or imprisonment.”
The Scottish Government and NatureScot have acknowledged the issue, with funding for the Sea Eagle Management Scheme recently increased from £400,000 to nearly £1 million to help mitigate the damage.
Commenting on Campbell’s video, a NatureScot spokesperson said: “NatureScot and the Scottish Government recognise that white-tailed eagles can cause economic impacts to farms and crofts in some locations. We provide support to farmers and crofters through the Sea Eagle Management Scheme, especially for those suffering the greatest impacts.
“The scheme provides bespoke support for farmers, including farm visits to investigate sea eagle activity, advice on mitigation measures, including the loan of equipment where appropriate, and recommendations for longer-term support.”
First Minister John Swinney, speaking at the NFU Scotland conference in February, noted the "unintended consequences" of reintroducing species such as the sea eagle. He highlighted the emotional and financial toll on affected farmers.
To address these concerns, Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie has been tasked with working with officials, NatureScot, and affected producers to find a solution. The Scottish Government has also confirmed it will provide NatureScot with an additional £534,000 for the 2025-26 Sea Eagle Management Scheme, taking the total to £970,000.
